Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp

Halo Graphic Novels

by Brian Reed, Felix Ruiz

THIS IS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN... Before he was Master Chief, he was John - a boy stolen from his parents and conscripted into the SPARTAN II program on the fortress world of Reach. These are desperate times in the human colonies, with galactic civil war just a heartbeat away...and only Dr. Catherine Halsey understands the terrible price humanity must pay to keep from destroying itself. Brian Reed (Spider-Man: American Son), and Felix Ruiz (MARVEL BOY: The Uranian) bring you an adaptation of the best-selling novel HALO: FALL OF REACH by Eric Nylund. COLLECTING: Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp #1-4

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Science Fiction, Fiction, Video Games, Graphic Novels Comics, Gaming

168 pages, Hardcover

First published March 30, 2011

About the author

Librarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Halo: Fall of Reach - Boot Camp is an adaptation of Eric Nylund's excellent prequel to the Halo franchise.

If you're a big enough fan of Halo to read the comics, you've probably already read the original Fall of Reach, so there's not much to surprise you. The story is well-adapted and made to fit the comic medium very well. The pacing is very good, and you're never waiting too long for some action. The focus on the characters is still very much there, however, and seeing things on the page adds a lot more emotion to certain scenes.

That brings me, of course, to the art. The style is what I would call 'gritty,' with unrefined lines and an overall dark palette. This works very well in my opinion, as the creation of the Spartans could be considered a tragedy followed by redemption. I'll admit when I first heard of the adaptation is was somewhat upset to learn that we'd finally see John 117's face. I got used to it over time though, and I don't think it detracts from his character as much as I thought it would.

At the end of the graphic novel there's an interview with Brian Reed, the writer, and Frank O'Connor and Kevin Grace, two employees at 343 Industries. It adds some good insight into the adaptation of the story and the creation of the comic.

Overall, if you're a Halo fan, you should definitely pick this up. If you're into sci-fi action stories, you won't be disappointed either.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoy the Halo tv show and like to see a origin story. This is worth picking up.

[Sam Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book of a trilogy, adapting Eric Nylund's 'The Fall of Reach' into comic book form.
As civil unrest and rebellion threatens the UNSC (United Nations Space Command) a secretive scientist begins the Spartan II programme, in which promising children are kidnapped from their homes and altered physically and mentally to become super-soldiers.

This is the third version of this story I've encountered, in three different types of media. I read the novel first (which was great) and then watched the Halo TV show (not amazing, but still better than all the haters were saying) and now, reading it in comics form, I have to say that the story doesn't hold any surprises for me.
This is a fairly faithful adaptation of the first third of the novel, but it can't go into as much depth as the novel and, as part one of three, could prove expensive to get the whole story. In short, I'd recommend the novel over its adaptations.

However, all that said, this is still solid. It shows the origins of the Spartan II programme, shows how John-117 (later the Master Chief) begins to stand out from the other trainees, but also starts to give a bit of characterisation to those other Spartans at the same time.

One place where the TV show surprisingly outstrips this (and the novel too) is that this book spends very little time wrestling with the ethics of kidnapping, torturing and mutilating children. It's treated as an unfortunate necessity and now we'll never think about it or question it again. I feel like it definitely needs questioning.

* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *

[47Time · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story tries to be similar to Ender's Game, but I expect the book it was inspired from doesn't jump between major events like the comic does. I often felt that it was missing some transitional scenes that would have helped the flow. It's cool to see another universe where it's deemed necessary to do away with ethics for the good of the general population. The characters' training seems harsh, but since everything is so rushed there's no time to feel anything for them.

The rapidly growing human-occupied space is facing its greatest threat - an insurrection that could lead to a never-ending civil war. Dr. Catherine Halsey has conscripted 75 children with specific genetic markers and spectacular abilities for the UNSC's Spartan II program. The very next day they start their military training. It's expected that half of them won't make out alive.

On their first major test the children are left in the middle of nowhere with portions of the map of the area. Student 117, a boy named John, takes the initiative and leads several of the others. They attack an armed man who turns out was UNSC, though he wasn't wearing regulation uniform. John is promoted to squad leader for bringing all the students home.

Years later John, who is still at the top of the class, is given the mission to capture former-colonel, now insurrectionist, Robert Watts. They proceed apace, but John gets wounded and barely escape. The story ends with the briefing where the first message from the Covenant is revealed.

[Vigneswara Prabhu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Halo: Fall of Reach, is more of a dramatization, or rather visualization of the events of Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund. While it would be nostalgic and reminiscent for those who've sweeped through the lore, it doesn't provide anything new in terms of storytelling, or adding to the Halo universe.

I do like to relive the events of the original novel, sans the abduction and questionable brainwashing of minors, and oh, turning them into child soldiers. Yes, the Master Chief that we all know and love, is a result of kidnapping minors away from their parents, replacing them with defective clones, erasing their past and turning them into living weapons. The road leading to Humanity's hope for survival, their greatest hero is one paved with good intentions, and terrible actions

What Boot camp does show well, is the formation of the closely knit warrior fellowship of the Spartan-IIs in general, and Blue team in particular, as well as their leader, Sierrra-117.

We see the Spartans and Blue team, go through years of gruesome training, military indoctrination and genetic augmentation, and blossom into the super soldier equivalent of their namesake. All in all, it's worth it for rekindling that nostalgia.

[Cyrus Douglas Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-animated, gripping story that is a treat to read. The plot is taken straight from the novel and, if you read the book first and the graphic novel second, it's a great experience that feels like seeing the story again from a new and different perspective.

[Bree Hatfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

This adaptation of Eric Nylund’s The Fall of Reach is fine. The art is AMAZING, truly does justice to Eric Nylund’s story. The script, however, was basically the same as the book except it misses some critical nuances. I would recommend just reading the book and not bothering much with this.

[Alexis P · Rating 4 out of 5]

Adapting the first part of Halo: The Fall Of Reach by Eric Nylund, Boot Camp gives us the origin story of the legendary Spartan Master Chief, and its as epic as you can imagine.

This is a great insight into the life of one of the most iconic video game characters ever, and if you're a fan of the Halo franchise, you will love it.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's still a story that I love, but not super coherent in this format

[Apostolos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminds me a bit of the HALO TV series (first season). Wonder if the creators read these comics before doing the scripts.

[Diego Sieiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great adaptation of the novel. Gritty art, backstory and super pacing make this a very enjoyable sci-fi comic and a must read for all Halo enthusiasts.

[Ray Yescas · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's an OK comic, I just think the Novel or the Animated film do a lot better job at immersion and feeling.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

My 3 stars doesn't really mean I liked this: space warcraft is not my cup of tea. But I do think it's well-done. The art-work is excellent, and it moves the story along effectively. It's a strong beginning to a story, not intended to stand on its own.

I think those who play the Halo video game would enjoy reading this back-story of "Master Chief," who is first introduced here as a 6-year old named "John." Some of the plot elements are similar to the beginning of Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game, including a hint of the moral dilemma faced by the doctor who creates the Spartans.

[Flashimal05 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not really a judge of artwork, but I liked the story that is being set up. While the concept is not original (Ender's Game), I think it's cool that there are stories to go along with the video game franchise. There is plenty of action which includes some graphic headshots. This is not a title for the younger superhero readers or younger readers that follow franchises like Link, Megaman, or Kingdom Hearts. I will likely read the next volume out in December.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to the HALO universe and prequel to the novel, but I was disappointed with the abrupt end of the mission to capture Watts. Then, as soon as that mission was over the Covenant appear out of nowhere and the rebels are out of the picture. Such a jarring transition from one storyline to another. It felt too rushed.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story's OK. I'm glad I've read some of the short stories, as that added a bit of dimension to it. Great art. I tend to like linear, angular, boxy art and this does that well. Moving on to the next volume in the series.

[Jesse Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've just begun getting into the Halo graphic novels to get another viewpoint of the awesome Halo Universe. Overall, I really enjoyed the artwork, and I thought they did a tremendous job capturing what Eric Nylund created with the novel. I'll move onto the next entry in the series, Covenant.

[Javion Bawlen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it

[Edward · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is very interesting comic. It talk about humandkind of 25th century . It is similar science fiction film that I watched .

[Diana H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

For lover's of this game and also anyone who enjoys graphic novels - this is a good attempt at taking a book and making it into a graphic novel.

[Jennifer Frazier · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is better than the comics, but still fun.

[Sharie · Rating 3 out of 5]

4 comics together; based on game; opening scene - guns pointing at each other's heads; leave for much older crowd (typical Marvel seems less graphic); lots of death but not pictured in detail

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thick it is a very good book.

[Payne010 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totaly AWESOME!